Energy

Find an article on the use or conservation of energy. Discuss
with your counselor what in the article was interesting to you,
the questions it raises, and what ideas it addresses that you do
not understand.

After you have completed requirements 2 through 8, revisit the
article you found for requirement la. Explain to your counselor
what you have learned in completing the requirements that helps
you better understand the article.

Show you understand energy forms and conversions by doing the following:

Explain how THREE of the following devices use energy, and explain
their energy conversions: toaster, greenhouse, lightbulb, bow drill,
cell phone, nuclear reactor, sweat lodge.

Construct a system that makes at least two energy conversions
and explain this to your counselor.

Show you understand energy efficiency by explaining to your counselor
a common example of a situation where energy moves through a system
to produce a useful result. Do the following:

Identify the parts of the system that are affected by the energy
movement.

Name the system's primary source of energy.

Identify the useful outcomes of the system.

Identify the energy losses of the system.

Conduct an energy audit of your home. Keep a 14 day log that records
what you and your family did to reduce energy use. Include the following
in your report and, after the 14 day period, discuss what you have learned
with your counselor.

List the types of energy used in your home such as electricity,
wood, oil, liquid petroleum, and natural gas, and tell how each
is delivered and measured, and the current cost; OR record the transportation
fuel used, miles driven, miles per gallon, and trips using your
family car or another vehicle.

Describe ways you and your family can use energy resources more
wisely. In preparing your discussion, consider the energy required
for the things you do and use on a daily basis (cooking, showering,
using lights, driving, watching TV, using the computer). Explain
what is meant by sustainable energy sources. Explain how you can
change your energy use through reuse and recycling.

In a notebook, identify and describe five examples of energy waste
in your school or community. Suggest in each case possible ways to reduce
this waste. Describe the idea of trade offs in energy use. In your response,
do the following:

Explain how the changes you suggest would lower costs, reduce
pollution, or otherwise improve your community.

Explain what changes to routines, habits, or convenience are
necessary to reduce energy waste. Tell why people might resist the
changes you suggest.

Prepare pie charts showing the following information, and explain
to your counselor the important ideas each chart reveals. Tell where
you got your information. Explain how cost affects the use of a nonrenewable
energy resource and makes alternatives practical.

The energy resources that supply the United States with most
of its energy

The share of energy resources used by the United States that
comes from other countries

The proportion of energy resources used by homes, businesses,
industry, and transportation

The fuels used to generate America's electricity

The world's known and estimated primary energy resource reserves

Tell what is being done to make FIVE of the following energy systems
produce more usable energy. In your explanation, describe the technology,
cost, environmental impacts, and safety concerns.

Biomass digesters or waste to energy plants

Cogeneration plants

Fossil fuel power plants

Fuel cells

Geothermal power plants

Nuclear power plants

Solar power systems

Tidal energy, wave energy, or ocean thermal energy conversion
devices

Wind turbines

Find out what opportunities are available for a career in energy.
Choose one position that interests you and describe the education and
training required.

For Requirement 4 you may wish to use this checklist:
(The checklist is already included in the worksheets below.)

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